Object TypeOil paintings based on classical stories were very popular at the beginning of the 19th century. This painting is a copy or version of Henry Howard's picture of the same title exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, in 1802.

Subject DepictedThe subject of this painting is the ancient Greek legend of Pygmalion, who was both a sculptor and King of Cyprus. According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, a long poem in Latin describing the fantastical transformations of gods, animals, elements and mortals into one another, Pygmalion fell in love with a life-like statue he had carved of his own ideal woman. At his earnest prayer, Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, took pity on him and brought the statue to life. He then married his creation. This myth was a popular theme for artists, as the hero of the tale was, like them, an aspiring artist in love with his art, and an inspiration to everyone who sought to create sublime decorative or fine art.

PeopleHenry Howard (1769-1847) originally aspired to be a history painter in the manner of Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792). Having become a friend of the sculptor and designer John Flaxman (1755-1826) while they were studying in Rome from 1791 to 1794, Howard continued to follow his friend's distinctive form of Neo-classicism on returning to Britain. He was also influenced by French Neo-classical artists, and tried to imitate their stylised rendering of classical scenes.

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British Galleries:
Regency artists often used scenes from classical literature as subjects for their paintings. Here, the mythical Greek sculptor Pygmalion is shown admiring his own statue of a perfect woman. He asked the goddess Aphrodite to bring the sculpture to life and his wish was granted. The figures here are shown in profile, as if on a classical relief. [27/03/2003]